France wasted no time and released their 23 man roster for the World Cup. With a squad so deep, it was expected to see big name players being left out of Deschamps’ list. The list of the players left out is so deep that you could possibly make a whole starting XI out of them…. So I did.
Goalkeeper: Benoit Costil
If there is one position that France has not produced AS MUCH talent in has been at goalkeeper. The three keepers taken are almost unanimously known to be France’s best three keepers. The only one that you could argue for would be Bordeaux’s Costil. However, it’s hard to argue for his position over Lloris, Areola and Mandana.
Right Back: Christophe Jallet
The 34 year old is past his best years and with the rise of younger outside backs, he’s seen his minutes being reduced with the national team. However, the argument could be made that he could’ve been brought in for leadership purposes.
Center Backs: Aymeric Laporte and Mathieu Debuchy
Debuchy had an inconsistent season with Arsenal as he saw his team finish 6th in the league again and lose in the Europa League semi final. However, his versatility can certainly help the team in the long run if they suddenly become plagued with injuries like they did in 2016.
Laporte made an important career move by completing a move to Manchester City in the transfer market. Labeled as one of the most promising centre backs in the World, it continues to shock me that Deschamps continues to leave him out.
Left back: Layvin Kurzawa
PSG’s starting left back has made a name for himself in the french capital and had been seen as the starting left back for France in several games leading up. A goal scoring left back, Kurzawa can also give help the team in the attack when needed and his ability to play in any position on the left flank could also help the team in the long run.
CDM: Adrien Rabiot
An instrumental part of PSG’s domestic success this season, Rabiot has the ability to play as the holding mid as well as a more creative role. Good with the ball on his feet, great vision and adds that pause and composure to the team. Looking at Deschamps’ list, I don’t see anyone other than Pogba who can play both roles like Rabiot.
LCM: Dimitri Payet
The best creative player in the french league this season. Lead the league and Europa League in assists and can always serve as that X factor for any team he’s a part of. A sensational Euro in 2016 apparently was not enough for Deschamps to want to bring in the Marseille winger/midfielder.
RCM: Moussa Sissoko
Another regular for France in recent years, Sissoko has been a key player for Tottenham this season. His 53 caps brings a lot of experience to a team filled with youngesters who lacked that extra step in the Euro in 2016.
LW: Kingsley Coman
It’s hard to narrow down the final list of attacking players but Bayern’s Coman could’ve and should’ve been added to the list. His ability to break the line and penetrate the flanks helps spread the width of the field thus allowing Griezmann to have more space in the middle to operate.
RW: Anthony Martial
Had Martial gotten more minutes this season with United, he would’ve gotten called up. Flat out. A super sub who can play on either flank and even as an emergency ST. The man has an eye for goal and can be the player a team needs in the 80th minute of a close game
ST: Alexandre Lacazette
The Arsenal striker had a rollercoaster of a season during his first year in the English capital. However, his talent should never be questioned. Towards the end of the season, he started showing glimpses of his Lyon form. He may not be ready to start for France but he should have definitely been on the bench.
Honorable mentions:
-André-Pierre Gignac
-Lucas Digne
-Ben Yedder
-Kevin Gameiro